70 years ago this month

For most of June the Battalion are at Arce, north-west of Cassino. CO Lt-Col Young is keeping them occupied and out of mischief. The American’s have occupied Rome. Read the war diary for June 1944 here.

Photos / Video / Audio

Memories

Obituary from the Rotorua Daily Post, 23rd March 2015:"MIDWOOD, Arthur Wihiri. 39097 28th Maori Btn. B.Co. Original 39er, WW2. 12.04.1918 - 22.03.2015, Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving whanau, at Taupo Hospital (of Rotorua). Loved husband of the late Mata (nee Marino). Loved brother and brother in law of Mary and Daniel Staite (Rotorua), loved father of Eric and Carol, and loved Koro of Anne- Marie and Benoir, Natalie, Eric Wihiri and Victoria, and great Koro of Wihiri, Whitirangi, Witerina, Chanelle, Leila, Jerico, and Shannon. Loved by all his whanau and many friends. Moe Mai Ra. Arohanui Papa. Tangi is being held at the Tunohopu Marae, Ohinemutu, Rotorua."

I salute the passing of our last "39er" yesterday in Mr Arthur Midwood. I only spoke to him briefly a couple of times and his humility and respect struck me in both conversations. A true battle survivor of Greece, Crete, and the Mediterranean theatres, the like of which we will not see again. Rest in peace Arthur.. along side your company and battalion mates.

Thank you Arthour, even 70 years after the war we will never forget every single Men and Women who fought side by side with us in Crete, in Greece, all over the World. We will never forget that Soldiers as you left their homes and traveled over 17000 km to risk their lives, to die. Rest in peace Arthour.From Agios Nikolaos, Crete, GreeceMauruuru e koe nui atu katoa o koutou

Farewell old buddy you've done your duty. As has already been said Arthur was a quiet humble man and he will be sadly missed by his friends of the NZ Battle of Crete Association. Arthur could not be rushed! I had arranged to take him to a BOC meeting at Mt Maunganui RSA but when I arrived at his home he'd only just returned from an errand and wasn't ready. We waited and waited while he dressed for the occasion. Result two speeding tickets but we did arrive on time. He was a good mate of my Uncle Boysie Merriman 39103 and both narrated their war experiences on the B Company video recording that screens at the B Company display at the Rotorua Museum

Kia-Ora Whanau, My name is Colleen Ranga (nee McCaskill) and Private Archie McCaskill is my father who fought in the 28th Maori Battalion, Company B and he is still alive today aged 94 years and both my parents residing in Hamilton. My dad Archie and Arthur were best mates back then and hence, after watching a television programme, soon discovered Arthur's real name but... Dad alwaysreferred to him as"Midi". Sadly, we have just learned of Midi's peaceful passing and would like to offer our condolences to Midi's family as, another war hero has been laid to rest. It is great to keep the knowledge alive about our war heroes and know the history of what really happened back then as there were so many who lost their loved ones (and there were other heroes who fought in other wars) and did not come back...so we are truly grateful for heroes like Midi and my Dad (and the unheard heroes) who returned. Kia-Kaha to Midi's Whanau and may this message be comforting to you all as Midi, might be gone but will never be forgotten. God Bless. - Arohanui Colleen Ranga on behalf of Archie Dora McCaskill and Whanau